Motor-driven plant-protection apparatus



June 26, 1962 K. BLASE' 3,040,471

MOTOR-DRIVEN PLANT-PROTECTION APPARATUS Filed Oct. 1, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3o FIG. I i ,2

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INVENTOR Keel 51 955 June 26, 1962 K. BLASE 3,040,471

MOTOR-DRIVEN PLANT-PROTECTION APPARATUS Filed Oct. 1, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENT 0R KHRL BmsE 3,340,471 fPatented June 26, lsea United States Patent nice 3,040,471 MOTOR-DRIVEN PLANT-PROTECTION APPARATUS Karl Blase, 7 Am Julianenpark, Ostfrisien, Leer, Germany Filed Oct. 1, 1959,.Ser. No. 843,693 Claims priority, application Germany Feb. 9, 1959 3 Claims. (Cl. 43-148) The usefulness of motor-driven plant-protection apparatus which can becarried on the back depends on its weight. Motor-driven plant-protection apparatus which can be carried on the back and which has containers for powdering, sprinkling or spraying, the said containers being interchangeable as desired, are already known, in which the separate operating-elements, such as the motor, blower, tankand container for the plant-protecting mediumare mounted on a chassis-like frame. Apparatus is also known with a horizontal motor, on which apparatus thecontainers for the powdering, sprinkling and spraying mediaare mounted together.

In practice, however, these combined devices are coming to be used to an ever-decreasing extent, because the weight of a number of containers is too great for the user. All the devices mentioned have the decisive drawback that in addition to the operating-elements a frame to enable the apparatus to be carried isadded as a dead weight makes it practically impossible to use them intropical regions or in vineyards-laid out on sloping terrain. These devices havethe further drawback that the weights are distributed unevenly in respect of the axis of symmetry, and that asymmetry occurs as the plant-protection medium is consumed from the storage-containers or as the contents ofthe fuel-tank are used up, rendering the task of carrying the apparatusstill more difficult.

I The'inventionofiers a motor-driven plant-protecting apparatus for powdering, sprinkling and spraying, which consists of a vertical cylindrical casing of very thin material reinforced by crimping. To secure the cylindrical casing still more firmly, the fixture for the motor, the lateral walls of the blower and the walls of the fuel tank and ,of the tank for the plant-protecting medium Theconsiderable weight of all these devices are constructed as circular bodies which fit accurately into the cylindrical casing and which, as far as possible, are rigidly welded to this latter. These intermediate floors, in conjunction with the crimping, enable the casing to be constructed ofa very thin material. V

, Ifthese intermediate floors merely served the purpose of strengthening" the casing, this wouldnot result in any saving of Weight. The reduction in weight achieved in the case of the housing would be counteracted by the weight of the inserted intermediate floors.

The apparatus is so constructed, however, that the inserted intermediate floors not only reinforce the casing but also constitute essential operating elements of the apparatus.

The lower intermediate floor reinforces the casing, carries the motor via rubber buffers and also accommodates the reversing-starter which is of the cable-pull type. By this intermediate floor, moreover, the motor chambe is sealed off at the bottom. 7

The second intermediate floor supports the casing of the apparatus, via a rubber ring, is aflixed to the motor, and centres the motor in the casing, constitutes the upper closure of the motor-chamber, forms the suction-inlet for the blower, and also constitutes one of the sidewalls of the blower-chamber. 7

The third intermediate floor reinforces the casing, is welded or soldered into the latter, and forms not only the upper closure of the blower-chamber but also the lower closure of the fuel-tank.

The fourth intermediate floor reinforces the casing,

'duction of the medium into its container.

medium, it being immaterial whether this container acv commodates liquid or pulverous plant-protecting media.

The fifth intermediate floor reinforces the casing, forms the upper closure of the container for the plant-protecting medium, and. incorporates the orifice for the intro- The considerable saving of Weight provided by the design proposed is due to the great number of functions taken over vby the individual intermediate floors, The saving of weight in the cylindrical casing of the apparatus, however, is due not only to the fact that the casing can be made of a very thin material, owing to the reinforcement provided by the intermediate floors, but also to the fact that the casing, like the intermediate floors, takes over a number of functions. "I'heentire casing takes over the task of rendering the apparatus portable. Consequently, no additional carrying-frame is required. The lower,edge .forms .the foot of the apparatus, at thelsame time enabling the hooksof the carrying-straps to be attached. Between the first and second intermediate floor, the casing forms .the enclosed motorchamberv and has an external inlet for the cooling of the motor-cylinder as well as a further inlet for the carburetor. That part of the. cylindrical casing which is situated between the second and'third intermediate iioor constitutes the blower-chamber. Between the third and fourth intermediate floor the cylindrical casing forms the external limits of the fuel-tank, while between the fourth and fifth intermediate floor it constitutes the external boundaries of the container for the plant-protecting medium. 1

The enumeration of all the functions performed by the individual parts appears unnecessary. It is only the construction provided by the invention, in which each of the parts takes over a number of functions, that renders the desired saving of weight possible and thus enables the apparatus to be used as a portable'devicm l v Since the protective treatment of plants involves the use not only of sprays but also of pulverous media, it is desirable that the apparatus should be suitable for both operations, again with the minimum possible nett weight. This object has hitherto been achieved by mounting two different containers on a frame, or by replacing the spraycontainer by the powder-container. In the invention, use

is made of one casing only, and this, again, constitutes one single container, for either sprays or powders. The only operation required for changing over from spraying to powdering is the replacement of the spray-collar or cover by a powder-collar orcover. Both in spraying and in powdering, the collars or covers are connected by hoses tonn interchangeable connecting-piece on the blow-out socket. In the case of the powdering-operation, this iconnecting-piece on the blow-out socket also incorporates the regulatng-valve, which is operated by hand, via a flexible wire coil, while the blow-out pipe is guided in the desired direction with the right hand. If a high output of powder is required, the bent shaft is operated with the left hand and the throttle-valve in the blow-out socket moved into a transversal position. The current of air generated by the blower is then compelled to enter the cover via the connecting-hose and is guided by the agitator onto the floor of the container. On emerging from the agitating-tube, the powder is stirred up and is conveyed, through the second pipe-connection in the cover and through the hose, to the blow-out socket behind the regulating-valve, and is mixed with the current of air. The adjustment of the valve governs the quantity of airrequired to pass through the powder-container, and thus the liquid thus being stirred and a pressure produced in the container. -A suction-tube, likewise built into the cover, extends over the floor of the container, and'is connected, by means of the hose, with the liquid-nozzle, which, on the emergence of the air, generates a low pressure. An intercalated cock enables the amount of liquid emitted to be adjusted as desired.

The drawing shows an example of how a plant-protecting apparatus, which can be carried on the operators back, can be constructed in accordance with the invention. In this drawing:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the apparatus used as a sprinkling-device, with the casing broken away to show the interior.

FIG. 2 is a top view, in accordance with FIG. 1, showing the arrangement of the motor, back-pad and blow-out socket.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a portion of the container for the plant-protecting medium, with cover attached, when in use for powdering, with the casing broken away to show the interior together with the attachable socket with regulating valve and flexible operating shaft. 7

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a portion of the container for the plant-protecting medium, with collar attached, when in use for powdering, with the casing broken away to show the interior.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus consists of the cylindrical casing 1, which surrounds the foot 2, the motorchamber 3, the blower-chamber 4, the tank-chamber 5 and the spray-chamber 6. Crimpings 7 reinforce the casing and the inserted intermediate floors 8, 9, 1.1 and 12, and contribute to the further strengthening of the cylindrical casing by being inserted, welded or soldered into it.

In the cylindrical casing 1 the intermediate floor 8is situated high enough to form the base-chamber 2 and seal off the motor-chamber. The intermediate floor also carries the pull-cord starter 13.

A portion of the intermediate floor 9 is secured to the motor 15. An intermediate wall section or annular housing 9', contiguous with intermediate floor 9, bears-against a rubber ring 16 having a bead portion seated in a recess in the casing and a tapered resilient flange which abuts against the wall section 9. The intermediate wall section 9' includes an air inlet orifice 1 8 in the upper central portion thereof.

The motor is connected in resilient manner to the casing by means of inserted rubber buffers 14 on the first intermediate wall 8. The starter 13 is bolted onto the wall 8, but is not coupled to the engine during stationary or normal operation periods. Upon operation of the starter, in known manner, two or more claw elements'fly outwardly and engage in the internal cavity of the motor flywheel and thereby impart drive for starting purposes. Upon release of the starter, the claws draw back again and the motor is again without any physical coupling to the starter.

The flanged ring 16 inserted in the casing 1 bears by its flange on that part of the intermediate wall 9' which partially defines an air inlet chamber for the fan. This flange prevents transfer of vibrations from the motor to the casing 1. The positioning of the flange is for the following purpose: during operation of the apparatus there is a pressure built up in the chamber 4 which presses the flange tightly into engagement with the adjacent wall 9' of the inlet chamber and thereby seals off the chamber 4 from the motor chamber. Thus, in short, the flanged ring has two functions: (1) reduction of motor vibration transfer to the other casing, (II) sealing of the blower chamber from the motor chamber.

The intermediate floor 10 is soldered or welded to the cylindrical casing and forms the closure for the blowerchamber 4 and the floor of'the -fuel-tank 5.

The intermediate floor 11, constructed in the form of a funnel, seals off the fuel-tank 5 and constitutes the floor of the sprinkler-container 6. The intermediate floor 12 is welded or soldered into the cylindrical casing 1, forms the top closure of the container for the sprinkling-medium and the reinforcement required to enable the hooks 19 of the carrying-belts 20 to be attached.

The bottom intermediate floor 8 is situated at a height so that the base-chamber 2 can be provided, and the hook 21 for the leather carrying straps 20 is hung over the reinforced edge of the cylindrical casing.

In'the case of FIG. 2, which is a top view according to PG. 1, the back-pad 22 may be seen, and this, for reasons of weight, is made of synthetic sponge rubber or air-cushions. The "blow-out socket 23, from which the blown air emerges, bears an intermediate piece or, as shown in FIG. 2, an attachment 24. This interchangeable attachment contains a tube 25 for the sprinkler-device, and this tube takes up the static pressure and transmits it via the hose 26 to the agitating-tube 27, which is shown in FIG. 1. The agitating-tube terminates in the bottom of the container for the sprinkling-medium. The emerging air eddies through and thus mixes the suspension present in the container for the plant-protecting medium, and imparts to the container the static pressure of the blower. The suction-tube 28 is open on the floor of the container for the sprinkling-medium, and by reason of the static pressure in the container for the sprinkling-medium and the low pressure of the nozzle the said tube takes over the function of conveying the liquid to the noxxle and into the current of air, doing so via suction-hose 29.

If the apparatus is to be used for powdering instead of sprinkling, all that has to be done is to remove the cover 30 with its suction-hoses 29 and 26 and attachment 24, as shown in FIG. 2, and insert the cover 31 with attachment 32 and connection-hoses, as shown in FIG. 3. In the powdering-process, the air-current emerges from the blower at 33 and subdivides into two currents of air, according to the position of the throttle-valve 34. One of these currents flows through the blow-out socket 35, lay-passing the throttle valve. The second current is diverted by the throttle valve 34 and is conveyed to the pressure-tube 37 via the connection hose 36. The air emerging from the holes in the pressure-tube 37 stirs up the powder in the container 6, and the mixture of powder and air is conveyed to the socket 38, sucked off to the suction-socket 40 via the hose 39 and thus mixed with the air blown out. The throttle valve 34 is opera-ted via the bent shaft 41 and can be adjusted by'the user, by means of the knobw42. The intensity of the current of air entering the container 6 through the pressure-tube 37 can be regulated by adjusting the throttle valve 34, using the bent shaft 41 and the knob 42, the quantity of powder emitted thus being likewise adjustable.

With the apparatus designed for the powdering-process as in FIG. 3 and for the sprinkling-process as in FIG. 1, a dual purpose apparatus is provided, in that the cover, with its built-in operating elements (tubes), can be changed. It may be considered a drawback that whenever the apparatus is to be filled, with powdering or with sprinkling media, as the case may be, the cover with its welded-in or soldered-in tubes has to be withdrawn. To render the apparatus simpler to use, therefore, it is recommended that, in accordance with FIG. 4, the tubes for the powdering or sprinkling-process should not be soldered or welded into the cover 31, and that the solution illustrated in FIG. 4 should be adopted, an interchangeable intermediate collar 43 being provided. The pressuretube 37 and the socket 38 is connected with this collar in the powdering-process, while the pressure-tube 27 and the suction-tube 28 are connected with it when the sprinkling-process is being 'carried out as, in FIG. 1.

strap means secured to the casing adjacent each of its' ends to engage about the shoulders of the operator and support the apparatus on his back, a fir-st transverse wall secured in the casing adjacent its lower end, an internal combustion engine mounted on said wall and having a drive shaft projecting upwardly, with its axis of rotation concentric with the casing, an apertured second wall mounted on the upper part of the engine and extending transversely of the casing so as to define therein with the first wall an engine chamber, an air impeller mounted on the engine drive shaft, a third transverse wall secured in the casing above the air impeller and serving with the second wall to define in the casing an impeller chamber, an outlet nozzle mounted externally on the casing and communicating with said impeller chamber, a fourth frusto-conical transverse wall secured at its internal periphery to the third wall and at its external periphery to the internal face of the casing wall above the third wall so as to define with the third wall an annular fuel tank for the engine, a fifth apert-ured wall secured in the upper end of the casing and defining with the fourth wall and the central portion of the third wall a material chamber, a closure removably engaged on the fifth wall to cover the aperture therein, and air inlet and material outlet pipes carried by the closure and connected to the air outlet nozzle to provide a first communication for passage of compressed air into the material chamber and second communication for passage of material and air out of the material chamber to the nozzle.

2. In an agricultural spraying and dusting apparatus for carrying on the person, as claimed in claim 1, an annular housing mounted on and above the second transverse wall and .apertured centrally at its upper part to form an air intake for the air impeller, and an annular sealing ring of resiliently compressible material disposed between and in contact with the outer face of said housing and the inner face of the casing wall.

3. In an agricultural spraying and dusting apparatus for carrying on the. person, as claimed in claim 1, a throttle tube incorporated in the air outlet nozzle and having an adjustable throttle vane and a first port upstream of the vane for outlet of compressed air and a second port downstream of the vane for intake of the air and material, the first port being connected to the air inlet pipe and the second port being connected to the material outlet pipe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,664,803 Agassiz Apr. 3, 1928 1,687,545 Clements Oct. 16, -1928 1,893,562 Paasche Jan. 10, 1933 1,923,654 Andreasen Aug. 22, 1933 2,126,924 Rose Aug. 16, 1938 2,648,466 Baur Aug. 11, 1953 2,842,465 Harrison July 8, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,147,615 France Nov. 27, 1957 1,176,402 France Nov. 24, 1958 841,658 Germany June 19, 1952 1,048,066 Germany Dec. 31, 1958 541,803 Italy Apr. 9, 1956 

